I was going to get a Sharp Aquos 46" LC-46D64U, but due to some reviews saying they still have the vertical lines/banding issue that previous models had...I'm reconsidering. Just how noticeable is it? I've had an old Sony with the horizontal bands for the last six yrs...the last thing I want is to have another one with similar issues.
My other choice was the Samsung 46" LN-T4661F. I could potentially get this one for $200-$300 cheaper as well.
Any thoughts, suggestions? Reviews from those who own the newer Sharp tv's? (the side connections for the Sharps are on the right - right?)
Thanks!
akolang2
01-24-08, 04:26 AM
I got the Sharp Aquos 52" (same model as the one you're looking at) this past November on the Black Friday sales. I am completely PLEASED with it. I'm not sure what a banding issue does exactly...but I see NO issues with this TV. Picture is excellent. I was reading up on them before I bought this one, and my understanding was that this "banding" problem was bad with the previous generation of these TVs, but seemed to have been corrected in the current Aquos's. Whatever the case, the one I have is great and I have recommended it to several people.
Artman
01-24-08, 11:44 AM
Cool...yeah, the CNET review and user reviews pointed out the issues.... maybe it's not as widespread, or maybe it has to do with viewing distance? Some coworkers recently bought the same ones, so I'll get their opinions as well.
It certainly looks nice in the store that's for sure...maybe I'll take one more look.
Jim
01-24-08, 02:01 PM
I had the 46D62U model and returned it. I don't know whether the issue has been corrected. I noticed the banding during panning shots, like when the camera pans from 3rd base to 1st base on a throw or when the camera pans from one end of a hockey rink to the other. Occasionally I saw a horizontal band on vertical panning, but mostly the vertical band from horizontal panning. Once I saw it I became very sensitive to it. So that is what to look for (or not). Otherwise I loved the picture on the Sharp. There was so little tweaking that had to be done to get a great picture. If you don't see the banding you'll love the picture. I also like the auto backlight sensor that the Sharp has. I think it works better than the one on the Sony 46V2500 that we replaced it with. My recommendation would be to go ahead and get it as long as the place you buy it from has a good return policy. I hope this helps in knowing what to look for.
GatorDeb
01-24-08, 02:42 PM
I love my 46" 1080p. I had a lot of issues with graininess that went away with the TV and PS3 firmware upgrades. It looks awesome. SD looks a lot better than on the 40" Sony Bravia.
Mordred
01-26-08, 01:18 AM
My boss got a 42" Aquos. He was concerned about the banding but says he's seen it and can live with it. He isn't the most perceptive guy in the world though. Another co-worker played with my boss's TV for around 15 minutes and said he saw it as well but wasn't sure how distracting it would be.
I think if I could see it, it would bug the hell out of me though.
TomOpus
01-26-08, 08:03 AM
I don't understand why someone who can see it will still want to live with it. That's a lot of money for a display that's defective. I guess it's just too much of a hassle for some people to return a TV?
GatorDeb
01-26-08, 11:26 AM
Does anyone have a picture that shows "banding" ?
darkside
01-27-08, 10:44 PM
I just picked up the 52" inch model and have watched a couple of dozen movies on it without noticing the banding. I hate to guarantee it is not there anymore, but it is not catching my eye. What does catch my eye is the beautiful black level the Aquos has. This is about as close to Plasma quality I have seen in a reasonably priced LCD.
Artman
01-28-08, 03:41 AM
Went ahead and got the Samsung off Amazon, it seems to be on sale everywhere though. Looking forward to seeing it... $200 cheaper and I just didn't want to chance not being happy with the Sharp... though I'm sure it looks great in it's own right.
darkside
01-28-08, 01:35 PM
Does anyone have a picture that shows "banding" ?
I'm definitely not seeing this on my Aquos. Look how much brighter the center horizontal band is. That would drive me insane if my TV did that.
But I haven't noticed parts of my TV being brighter than others. I'm happy as a clam. My only complaint is that I can now get a better TV for the same price but that's life for you :D
This is going to be my TV for the next 4-5 years.
d2cheer
01-28-08, 10:39 PM
I love my 46" 1080p. I had a lot of issues with graininess that went away with the TV and PS3 firmware upgrades. It looks awesome. SD looks a lot better than on the 40" Sony Bravia.
Yup got the same one and it is nothing short of fantastic as far as picture quality goes... No idea what the banding issue is, I have not seen anything.
StephenX
01-28-08, 11:52 PM
Got a 42 Sharp Aquos LCD on black friday and absolutely love it. No banding here. I'd say go for it.
Mordred
02-01-08, 11:40 AM
I'm definitely not seeing this on my Aquos. Look how much brighter the center horizontal band is. That would drive me insane if my TV did that.
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/autIbrNzeio&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/autIbrNzeio&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Interesting. I always thought the bands were vertical and not horizontal :)
That would definitely be annoying.
waywreth
02-01-08, 01:54 PM
I have the Sharp Aquos 46" LC-46D64U, having purchased it for a good price on Black Friday. I would definately recommend it, and have had no issues whatsoever with banding. Just be sure to purchase your HDMI cables from somewhere other than the chain stores (I would recommend monoprice).
And yes, if you're facing the front of the TV, connections are on the right (with some on the back).
Sdallnct
02-01-08, 04:40 PM
My other choice was the Samsung 46" LN-T4661F. I could potentially get this one for $200-$300 cheaper as well.
Thanks!
I don't know anything about the sharp, but I picked up the Samsung LN-T4661 at Christmas and am "happy" with it. I really wanted the Panny Plasma. Badly. But the room is so bright and we do sometimes watch during the day and I thought physically the 50" plasma would take over the room, I decided to go LCD.
Out of the box I was not that happy. Way over bright and a very flat image. I went over to the AVS thread and calibrated per their famous 1,500 post (now 1,499) and am really happy with the set. The blacks are not near as dark as with the panny plasma, but not bad by any means. Very good detail, very sharp. And after calibration much more depth, better blacks, and fairly natural looking (one problem I have had in the past with LCD's is they sometimes look harsh).
At the same time I bought a Toshiba HD-A3 and it is a terrific match for that display. SD DVD looks awesome (when I was testing with Nemo my wife stated "when did we get Nemo in HD") and HD and HD DVD of course looks awesome. I really don't have any complaints of the set. I wish all three HDMI inputs were on the rear (2 are on the rear one on the side), but that is really picky.
What made me get the Samsung? Well to be honest, after I narrowed down to three or so that all got solid reviews, I went with the one that I could find the most information on, on the net. I figured my learning curve and set up would be significantly shortened if I could find a lot of good, reliable information on the set.
Artman
02-03-08, 12:35 PM
You have a link to that calibration info? My set should arrive in a wk or so... looking forward to it!
Sdallnct
02-05-08, 02:54 AM
You have a link to that calibration info? My set should arrive in a wk or so... looking forward to it!
This is for the Samsung...http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11287410&postcount=1499
tpc
02-05-08, 01:44 PM
I have that exact model of Sharp... and I love it. No issues whatseover.
Buy: